Cliff Toews

Norman “Clifford” Toews, 73 of Winnipegosis, MB passed away peacefully at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre after a long brave battle with cancer.

Cliff was born April 18, 1947 in Winkler, MB to Wilhelm and Hilda Toews. He was the fifth of thirteen children.  Most of his childhood was spent on a farm just outside of Winnipegosis where he attended elementary and high school.  He was a very intelligent student who developed a lifelong passion for reading and learning. For the rest of his life he could be seen with a book in his hand or back pocket.  He continued learning throughout his life in mechanics, welding and computers through taking vocational courses.

In 1965, the family moved to Winnipeg, but shortly after that Cliff moved back to the Winnipegosis. He worked on the Cat Trains making winter roads for a number of years before deciding to start focusing on his passion of farming.  He set up a beef cattle farm on Red Deer Point.  In 1973, he married Elizabeth Wiggins; they had three daughters: Wendy, Sandi and Carmen. He and his family farmed and ice fished in partnership with Jim Wright. Along with cattle and fishing the family raised and showed horses. Winters were spent out on the ice fishing and calving cows. Summers were for haying and going to the fairs with the girls and their ponies. Cliff made a pony merry-go-round that they hauled to the fairs.  He helped his neighbors out by being the “neighborhood” mechanic, welder and inventor.  He loved gadgets and puzzles so was always game to see how things worked.

In 1988, he and Elizabeth separated, consequently after a few years he moved off the farm.  He went to work in Sifton on the farm for Kropelnickis where he stayed for 5 or 6 years.  Then for Morgans just outside Dauphin where he stayed for quite a few years.  He finished out his farming career working on the same farm as he had as a young man in Waterhen for Dyck Enterprises.  Dad finally worked his way into full retirement about 5 years ago.

Family was the most important thing to Dad and he spent his down time with his daughters and grandchildren.  He rarely missed an event and could be found babysitting or helping out around one of their households. Dad was always up for an adventure such as rock picking, wiener roasts, berry picking or any kind of sport.  He loved Sunday afternoons spent playing board games.  Cliff was a sports fanatic.  Even in the early days living on the farm without electricity he rigged up a TV to a car battery to be able to watch hockey.  He enjoyed a lifelong addiction to watching sports – when Dad came to visit you needed to get TSN.  This was a passion he shared with his brothers and would spend great amounts of time in conversation with Bob or Jim about hockey or football.

Along with spending time with his kids he looked forward to any family get together with his parents and siblings.  He never missed a yearly family reunion or Christmas.  He would be the first one at the campsite building the fire. He was always game to partake in any crazy adventures such as making rockets or rafting on the river.  He was happiest when he was surrounded by family reminiscing over past escapades of his youth – driving fast cars, drinking cold beer, and close escapes! He definitely lived life to the fullest.

Cliff is survived by his children Wendy (Jim) Harder, Sandi (Shayne) Cooper and Carmen McMaster.  His grandchildren Kaidan Cooper, Nicolas, Andrew and Harris McMaster.  His siblings Rose Janzen, Roberta (Rudy) Loewen, Lorna (Bev) Clark, Hilda (Jim) Gordon, Bill (Darlene) Toews, Jim(Sandra) Toews, Caroline (Bob) Seeley, Sharon (Raymond) Toews, Bob (Joy) Toews, Jennifer (Wayne) Gryba, Lynda (Brent) Searle plus many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Wilhelm and Hilda Toews, brother Ken Toews, his brothers-in-law Vern Cowling and Elmer Janzen.

A public graveside funeral service will be held for Cliff on Saturday, July 24th 2021 at 1:00 p.m. from the Winnipegosis & District cemetery with Len Bergen officiating.  Those who wish to pay their respects to Cliff, or Betsy may join the family for a time of fellowship following the service at the Winnipegosis Campground.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to your local food bank in Cliff’s memory.